Diff popping/grinding 06 sti

808_sti · 05-12-2013, 08:01 PM

I have an 06 sti that developed a weird knocking/ crunching sound coming from the rear. I've searched everywhere I found some info but none specific to my problem.

I was driving to work on the freeway and felt a weird vibration like I was driving off the road only when I turned right. It wasn't a sharp right either. I pulled off the freeway and at about 5mph I heard crunching/clunking/grinding coming from the diff sounded like metal to metal.

Thought it was my diff fluid telling me it needed to be changed and I did and as I was changing fluids it was clean and very little metal shaving were stuck to the magnet. So I take it it was not that. Still made the noise after a day

-Read it might be my hubs. Correct me if I'm wrong, I ruled the front out due to not feeling the vibration in the steering wheel. Might be the rear but I have no play, I did the whole grab it at 6 and 12 and shake it and nothing, I've heard of people doing this test and not having any play and still have it be the hub.

-read it might be the axle nut coming loose. Checked and it was tight as I could get it. I might goto subaru and order all new ones.

-called Subaru said usually the hubs go out before the axles and read that it takes a lot for the axles to break. Also examined all cv axle boots all are intact.

-I have brand new tires and all with weights on them still.

So here's the current issue. After fighting the rear rotor off it looks to be warped and brake pads were shot as well as the e brake pads.

I may have found the problem, but could this cause the diff to pop like that?

Going to change rotors pads tomorrow and see if she still pops.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

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808_sti · 05-16-2013, 07:19 PM

nobody had any similar issues?

I haven't been able to check if the problem is gone yet since 3 out of 4 bolts snapped on my caliper, so taking the calipers in tomorrow to get them out.

any recommendations on if I should get new axle nuts or are the same ones still good togo.

fizzyl · 05-17-2013, 11:19 AM

Hey, I posted this in another similar thread, this is what I've found/learned with my similar issue:

I've been having this same issue for several years now, I've taken it to the dealer 3 times and they "can't find anything wrong" and claim it's "normal" despite never having heard it on another STi. Here are my notes and stuff I've found from searching:

From the service manual, potential causes of differential noise:
Potential causes:
1. Fluid not allowing slippage of differential so it is binding. 6MT-130
2. Differential gears too tight or set wrong. 6MT-130
3. Steering angle sensor issue. 6MT-127
Diag: 6MT-50
(Steering angle sensor input supposedly only used for determining intended turn direction, g-sensor used more for control.)

I've heard people claim that cleaning the ABS sensors will solve the issue, but my dealer claimed there were no problems with the ABS sensors in the ECU so they didn't want to check them and risk damaging them.

I've heard people claim that any tranny fluid other than Subaru Extra-S will cause noises like this and that as soon as they put Extra-S in the problem was gone. To me it seems that if there is such a dependency on the oil, there would be more problems and my dealer (who doesn't use Extra-S) would have had at least one other person with the problem. Also, since this is mitigated by putting the DCCD in the smallest green setting, it would seem that it is an issue with the center diff, which is sealed and doesn't use the tranny fluid.

Here are some other thread's I've found where people have the same issue:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...+speed+binding

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2225680

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1912582

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/drivetra...ng-slowly.html

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-suspe...turn-help.html

Since I've been to the dealer 3 times reporting the issue (during normal warranty period), and I still have 32k left on my extended warranty I'm not too worried if something fails. For now I take the DCCD out of auto and go to the smallest green setting when I'm in parking lots and then I put it back in auto for driving.

I would love to get an answer to this eventually. I don't like the "differentials do that normally" or "our cars are just noisy" answers.

fizzyl · 05-17-2013, 11:21 AM

Here's one with a video:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2347482

808_sti · 05-18-2013, 04:35 AM

first three links didn't work and the last two just led me to the forum homepage.

But my car sounded similar to what was in your video. I'm going to put my brakes on in the morning and tighten my axle nuts back up and see what she does.

05-12-2013, 08:01 PM	#1
808_sti Scooby Newbie Member#: 342711 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Puyallup, wa Vehicle: 06 Sti Black	Diff popping/grinding 06 sti I have an 06 sti that developed a weird knocking/ crunching sound coming from the rear. I've searched everywhere I found some info but none specific to my problem. I was driving to work on the freeway and felt a weird vibration like I was driving off the road only when I turned right. It wasn't a sharp right either. I pulled off the freeway and at about 5mph I heard crunching/clunking/grinding coming from the diff sounded like metal to metal. Thought it was my diff fluid telling me it needed to be changed and I did and as I was changing fluids it was clean and very little metal shaving were stuck to the magnet. So I take it it was not that. Still made the noise after a day -Read it might be my hubs. Correct me if I'm wrong, I ruled the front out due to not feeling the vibration in the steering wheel. Might be the rear but I have no play, I did the whole grab it at 6 and 12 and shake it and nothing, I've heard of people doing this test and not having any play and still have it be the hub. -read it might be the axle nut coming loose. Checked and it was tight as I could get it. I might goto subaru and order all new ones. -called Subaru said usually the hubs go out before the axles and read that it takes a lot for the axles to break. Also examined all cv axle boots all are intact. -I have brand new tires and all with weights on them still. So here's the current issue. After fighting the rear rotor off it looks to be warped and brake pads were shot as well as the e brake pads. I may have found the problem, but could this cause the diff to pop like that? Going to change rotors pads tomorrow and see if she still pops. Any input is appreciated. Thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-16-2013, 07:19 PM	#2
808_sti Scooby Newbie Member#: 342711 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Puyallup, wa Vehicle: 06 Sti Black	nobody had any similar issues? I haven't been able to check if the problem is gone yet since 3 out of 4 bolts snapped on my caliper, so taking the calipers in tomorrow to get them out. any recommendations on if I should get new axle nuts or are the same ones still good togo.

05-17-2013, 11:19 AM	#3
fizzyl Scooby Newbie Member#: 103490 Join Date: Dec 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Barbara, CA Vehicle: 06 STi Aspen White	Hey, I posted this in another similar thread, this is what I've found/learned with my similar issue: I've been having this same issue for several years now, I've taken it to the dealer 3 times and they "can't find anything wrong" and claim it's "normal" despite never having heard it on another STi. Here are my notes and stuff I've found from searching: From the service manual, potential causes of differential noise: Potential causes: 1. Fluid not allowing slippage of differential so it is binding. 6MT-130 2. Differential gears too tight or set wrong. 6MT-130 3. Steering angle sensor issue. 6MT-127 Diag: 6MT-50 (Steering angle sensor input supposedly only used for determining intended turn direction, g-sensor used more for control.) I've heard people claim that cleaning the ABS sensors will solve the issue, but my dealer claimed there were no problems with the ABS sensors in the ECU so they didn't want to check them and risk damaging them. I've heard people claim that any tranny fluid other than Subaru Extra-S will cause noises like this and that as soon as they put Extra-S in the problem was gone. To me it seems that if there is such a dependency on the oil, there would be more problems and my dealer (who doesn't use Extra-S) would have had at least one other person with the problem. Also, since this is mitigated by putting the DCCD in the smallest green setting, it would seem that it is an issue with the center diff, which is sealed and doesn't use the tranny fluid. Here are some other thread's I've found where people have the same issue: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...+speed+binding http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2225680 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1912582 http://www.iwsti.com/forums/drivetra...ng-slowly.html http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-suspe...turn-help.html Since I've been to the dealer 3 times reporting the issue (during normal warranty period), and I still have 32k left on my extended warranty I'm not too worried if something fails. For now I take the DCCD out of auto and go to the smallest green setting when I'm in parking lots and then I put it back in auto for driving. I would love to get an answer to this eventually. I don't like the "differentials do that normally" or "our cars are just noisy" answers.

05-17-2013, 11:21 AM	#4
fizzyl Scooby Newbie Member#: 103490 Join Date: Dec 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Barbara, CA Vehicle: 06 STi Aspen White	Here's one with a video: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2347482

05-18-2013, 04:35 AM	#5
808_sti Scooby Newbie Member#: 342711 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Puyallup, wa Vehicle: 06 Sti Black	first three links didn't work and the last two just led me to the forum homepage. But my car sounded similar to what was in your video. I'm going to put my brakes on in the morning and tighten my axle nuts back up and see what she does.